Politics & Diplomacy

Politics & Diplomacy

Healthy democratic societies are governed through the holding of elections, passage of policies through government institutions, and equal application of the law to all citizens. These activities influence not only the internal decisions of these societies, but also inform the ways countries interact with their regional and global neighbors, whether through direct bilateral ties or encompassed in larger international organizations.

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Gulf States Reactions to the New War in Iraq

New Atlanticist
Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By
Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.

Conflict
Israel

Gulf States Reactions to the New War in Iraq

New Atlanticist
Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By
Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.

Conflict
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Gulf States Reactions to the New War in Iraq

Issue Brief
Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By
Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.

China
Economy & Business

Content

MENASource

Jul 1, 2014

Gulf States Reactions to the New War in Iraq

By Nouf Al Sadiq

Since the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) took over (and now rebranded) territory in Iraq, Gulf States have been somewhat less alarmed by this new Sunni uprising than they have about other more political factors in the conflict.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

Article

Jun 27, 2014

EU Leadership Change: What’s at Stake for Europe and the US?

By Marten Van Heuven

Sometime soon, the prospect of the European holiday calendar will force the pace, and the European Union will have a new management team. A new European Commission will alter relations among member states and between them and the European institutions in Brussels. Of course, it will not put an end to the tug and pull […]

Europe & Eurasia European Union

MENASource

Jun 26, 2014

Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections Law: A Setback for Democracy

By Khaled Dawoud

Former Egyptian Interim President Adly Mansour had already delivered an emotional farewell speech on June 4, ending nearly one year in office in which he played a largely ceremonial role as he prepared to hand power to the newly elected, former defense minister, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on June 8. However, the next day, Mansour issued […]

Elections North Africa

In the News

Jun 26, 2014

Hansen: Securing Georgia and Using the West’s Capital Wisely

By Ian Hansen

Atlantic Council Program Assistant Ian Hansen writes for the Huffington Post on the importance of securing a strong liberal democracy in Georgia:

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Jun 24, 2014

Egypt’s New Law for Parliamentary Elections Sets Up a Weak Legislature

By Scott Williamson and Nathan J. Brown

In an uncharacteristically immodest burst of activity, Egypt’s humble and stolid acting president, Adly Mansour, issued a series of last-minute decree-laws before handing authority over to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Some dealt with harassment, preaching, and littering. He still showed caution and restraint in some significant areas—for instance, a set of legislative changes designed to […]

Elections North Africa

In the News

Jun 19, 2014

Saab: Why the Persian Gulf Isn’t Ready for Joint Security

By Bilal Y. Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Defense One on why defense cooperation in the Gulf will remain elusive until greater trust and closer political relationships are built among the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council:

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jun 11, 2014

On the Price Egypt Paid, Unacceptable Arrogance, and Major Challenges to Come

By Amr Hamzawy

There is a price to be paid for the absence of democracy and for the way that security practices have dominated the system of rule in Egypt, utterly corrupting political life and subjugating it to the social and party elite such that one must either support these power arrangements, along with their decisions and actions, […]

Elections North Africa

In the News

Jun 9, 2014

Greene on the European Central Bank

By Megan Greene

Global Business and Economics Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Megan Greene writes for Open Markets on the new measures announced by the European Central Bank during its executive board meeting on June 5: 

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Jun 9, 2014

The Field Marshall Plan

By Matthew Hall

What can the Development Corridor mega-project tell us about how Sisi will govern? In a spate of television interviews during the final stretch of the campaign, presidential hopeful Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke of the entrenched structural problems facing the nation—an economic rut so deep that Egyptians could not hope to “run” from it, but instead […]

Elections North Africa

In the News

Jun 8, 2014

Atlantic Council Discussion with Ashraf Ghani Referenced

By Ashraf Ghani

The Express Tribune, with the International Herald Tribune, cites the Atlantic Council’s Skype interview with Dr. Ashraf Ghani, an Afghan presidential candidate, within an article about Afghanistan after 2014:

Afghanistan Elections
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Experts

Staff

Katherine Spencer

Program Assistant

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Conflict

Fellow

Courtney Spivey Urschel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights Middle East

Staff

Kate Springs

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Jaime Stansbury

Nonresident fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Gareth Stansfield

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Afghanistan Iraq

Millennium fellow

Cristián Stewart Claro

Executive Director, IdeaPaís

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Education
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Events

Public Event Fri, June 12, 2026 • 4:30 pm ET

Privileged but Powerless: Jieun Baek on Pyongyang’s greatest weakness
East Asia Human Rights Indo-Pacific Korea
Public Event Mon, June 15, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

How should the United States counter Russia and China’s hybrid warfare?
China East Asia Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
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The Power of Sports Embassy Dialogues: Panama and Croatia
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